I’ve spent nearly a decade serving in the Maine Legislature and not a lot surprises me anymore. But I must say that I have never seen anything quite like this past session and would consider it a very unique experience to work within. But amidst the unusual twists and turns we did accomplish some great things for the people of Maine and it’s those achievements that I hope we can build upon as we head into the second session.
We
were able to provide one of the most significant tax reductions in Maine
history as part of the recently enacted two-year state budget. It’s a budget
that includes roughly $1.3 billion in income tax relief over the next decade
while also doubling the Homestead Exemption to $20,000 and putting more money
into public schools which will help to ease the property tax burden on Mainers.
Without the leadership of the House Republican caucus, this tax relief package
would not have seen the light of the day. While this budget was far from
perfect we must remember that we live in a time of divided government, meaning
we must compromise in order to get things done.
On
top of the good things that have come out of the budget we also passed some
important legislation that seemed to fly under the radar.
LD 1221 "An Act To Fund the Cold Case Homicide
Unit in the Department of the Attorney General" which we believe will bring closure to a lot of
families who have lost loved ones and fear their killer is still at large. Many
of these families came to the Maine State House and provided emotional
testimony. It appears that this unit will be up and running in the next few
months.
LD
280 "An Act To Exempt Military
Pensions and Survivor Benefits from Maine Income Tax" was another bill
that I was proud to support. This measure eventually wound up being rolled into
the new two-year state budget. Not only is it a way to say “thank you” to our
men and women in uniform but it also makes Maine a more attractive destination
spot for thousands of soldiers who retire and are seeking second careers. These
are highly skilled individuals who will make a welcome addition to our state’s
workforce.
LD 422 - "An Act To Improve Access to Treatments
for Lyme Disease" allows physicians to administer or dispense long-term
antibiotic therapy to a patient with acute, persistent or chronic Lyme disease.
Though some physicians in Maine are currently treating Lyme sufferers, they do
so in the shadows. Although this treatment isn’t illegal, it is only embraced
by a minority of physicians. There are others who would be willing to
treat but don’t dare for fear of disciplinary action from the board. This bill
came before the Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee
which is the committee I serve on. During the public hearing we heard from
hundreds of Lyme sufferers who were imploring us to pass this bill.
Those are just a few examples of the many pieces of
legislation that passed in a bipartisan fashion and I was proud to support. The
second session of the 127th Maine Legislature kicks off in a little
more than four months and once again we have no shortage of seemingly
contentious issues that we will once again face. My hope is that we will be
able to set aside our differences and work to find some middle ground. The
Maine people sent us here to work for them and they expect results. I’m an
eternal optimist and I have the utmost confidence that the men and women of the
127th Maine Legislature will be able to work together and provide
solutions to our most pressing issues.
Representative
Sue Austin proudly serves the people of District 67 - Frye Island and parts of
Gray, Casco and Raymond
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